What did you think of this episode?

Have you ever felt guilty about not meeting your writing goals or wondered if they need a check-up? 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn what to do When Writing Goals Need a Re-Set.

My industry expert is…Penny Reeve. 

Penny is a writer, children’s literature scholar, and speaker. She’s also the award-winning Australian author of more than 25 books for children. Writing as Penny Reeve, Penny Jaye, and Ella Shine, she writes picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies, and young adult fiction. She is an experienced writing teacher with a particular interest in equipping Christian children’s writers. Learn more about Penny at www.pennyreeve.com

·      Goals are important for writers, but how do we know if our goals need a check-up?

·      How to start a writing goal re-set: revisit the old and consider the new.

·      Be real about the rest of your life and then choose one to add, pause, delete, or restructure your writing goals.

Listener giveaway –Penny is generously offering a downloadable Writing Goals Check-Up! A resource specifically designed to help writers – just like you – to work and conduct a goals check-up of your own. 

Check out Penny’s novel, Out of the Cages, a novel that took eleven years and eleven rejections before it found its way to publication and won awards, proof that re-setting goals can be a useful strategy for writers playing the long game. 

·      www.pennyreeve.com 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennyreevethepennydrops 

o   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyreevethepennydrops/

o   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PennyReeveauthor 

Book links for Penny’s 3 author names: 

o   Penny Reeve: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Penny-Reeve/author/B0034NJ9D4 

o   Penny Jaye: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Penny-Jaye/author/B07NCXW6GQ 

o   Ella Shine: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ella-Shine/author/B08KCTYJYF 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

When you prioritize these four goals, you will maximize your monthly output! Today’s guest offers solutions to get you started. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn Four Goals You Should Prioritize to Maximize Your Monthly Writing.

My industry expert is…Tina Yeager - Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach Tina Yeager hosts the Flourish-Meant Podcast and Flourish Today radio show on Christian Mix 106 and publishes Inkspirations Online, a weekly writers’ devotional. She has been licensed as a counselor since 2005. For holistic emotional wellness coaching, prayer-led creative journey mapping, purpose coaching, or event speaking, contact her at [email protected].  

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… Four Goals We Should Prioritize to Maximize Our Month.

For your personal reset this month, here are four goals to restore your personal growth strategy and begin your journey to the best year ever. 

1. Start each day by praying through a passage of scripture with thankfulness and worship, meditating upon a specific name of God. 

2. Plan your intake. Nourish your brain, body, and spirit by what you choose to put into them. Set your food and beverages up before you get hungry.

3. Draft policy statements for your interactions with others. Set standards for how you will respond to and treat people to act as guard rails. 

4. Prayerfully identify and execute short-term SMART goals. The Lord might reveal a long-range vision. If so, make sure all your short-term monthly goals support it. 

Take a step in the next 24 hrs that commits you to the first objective of this month’s goal.

LINKS

If you're a writer, subscribe to Inkspirations Online (devotional publication by writers for writers): https://www.inkspirationsonline.com/ 

Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses

Connect with Tina at:

Facebook Linked In  Instagram  YouTube  Pinterest  Goodreads

If you are ready to get

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Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are your devotions effective?

Writing devotions that change lives is what Cindy Sproles helps us understand better in this encore episode of Your Best Writing Life.

Cindy Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the cowriter of the popular He Said, She Said Devotions written with her cofounder, Eddie Jones. As a teacher and speaker for Christian Writers Conferences, Cindy teaches writing skills and how to write, placing God in the forefront.  She is a contributing author to CBN.com and is the Executive Editor for www.christiandevotions.us, and a freelance editor for Ironstream Media. Cindy is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference, held each February at the Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center, Asheville, NC.  She is the mother of four adult sons and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her husband. Cindy can be contacted at www.cindysproles.com or by emailing [email protected].

In this encore best-of episode, Linda and Cindy Sproles discuss the concepts many preachers use to prepare their sermons: Hook, Book, Look, and Take.
Find out how asking questions in your devotion can lose readers.
Everyone shares stories, but the reason telling a story in devotion is so important may surprise you.

Learn how to perfect your devotion by submitting it online to Christian Devotions.

LINKS

• Cindy Sproles
• Submit your devotion to Christian Devotions dot us
• Download your Hook, Book, Look, and Took PDF

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Have you ever thought about writing a children’s book or wondered what it takes to write for younger readers?  

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn Busting the Myths about Writing for Children.

My industry expert is…Penny Reeve. 

Penny is a writer, children’s literature scholar, and speaker. She’s also the award-winning Australian author of more than 25 books for children. Writing as Penny Reeve, Penny Jaye, and Ella Shine, she writes picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies, and young adult fiction. She is an experienced writing teacher and speaker with a particular interest in equipping Christian children’s writers.

Busting the Myths About Writing for Children

·      Myth #1 – Writing for children is easy.

·      Myth #2 – Writing for children isn’t real writing. 

·      Myth #3 – Writing for children isn’t as important as writing for adults.

Listener giveaway – although Penny has spoken about writing for all ages, if you are considering writing a picture book, Penny is generously offering this episode’s listeners a downloadable Tip Sheet of Picture Book Basics!

·      Penny’s children’s novel Camp Max explores themes of faith, friendship, and generosity for children aged 7 to 10. 

·      For more tips and tricks about writing for children, visit Penny’s YouTube channel for her ‘How to be a children’s author’ playlist. Plus, free writing activity videos for children! 

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennyreevethepennydrops 

o   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyreevethepennydrops/

o   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PennyReeveauthor 

·      Book links for Penny Reeve's three author names: 

o   https://www.amazon.com/stores/Penny-Reeve/author/B0034NJ9D4 

o   https://www.amazon.com/stores/Penny-Jaye/author/B07NCXW6GQ 

o   https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ella-Shine/author/B08KCTYJYF 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you struggling to get your writing started? Award-winning author Lori Hatcher shares five tips to help us increase our writing output.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn Five Tips to Increase Your Writing Productivity. 

My industry expert is Lori Hatcher. Lori inspires and equips others by sharing high-impact stories for spiritual transformation. A popular women’s ministry speaker and writing/speaking instructor, Lori is an Advanced Communicator Gold and Advanced Leader Bronze with Toastmasters International. She writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com.

Lori, welcome to Your Best Writing Life!

Five Tips to Increase Your Writing Productivity 

Tip one – Write in order of priorities, not preferences. Release the tyranny of the urgent: at the end of the day, what is most important for me to accomplish today?

Tip two – Use the four-bucket method, with either hard copies or digital folders. Notes app for iOS:

1. Bucket of ideas: choose the one that resonates.
2. Bucket of first drafts: write 500 words or one timer’s worth (check this bucket first).
3. Bucket of ready-to-edit: a complete piece (go to this second).
4. Bucket of ready-to-submit: a go-to list of places to submit or in your book manuscript. 

Tip three: Use the Pomodoro method, intentionally moving up and down. Work for 25 minutes, then take 5 minutes off. Write in sprints (or more, perhaps 55 minutes on, followed by a 15-minute mental break during which you change locations and physical positions). 

Tip four: Create a page or word count goal for each chapter or element to ensure cohesiveness. This will also help you write tightly.

Tip five: Pray before you write. God knows the words we need. Pray while you write, and pray after you write. Make time with God a top priority and release your work to Him. He always accomplishes what we need to do. Ask Him to give us His heart for our writing readers.

LINKS
A WORD FOR YOUR DAY: 66 DEVOTIONS TO REFRESH YOUR MIND, from Our Daily Bread Publishing

LORIHATCHER.COM 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you ready to take your platform to the next level? Linda’s guest offers three strategies to make that happen.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 3 Top strategies to network and build your platform.

Linda's guest is Dr Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes. Dr. Katherine is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is the production editor for Embolden Media Group and a member of Word Weavers International, serving as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala.

Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Today's episode walks you through three ways to network to grow your platform and engage with your audience.
Attend Writerly-events
Join Niche Groups
Engage Online

Giveaway-  use the code Lindarocks2024 during checkout to receive a free eBook when they visit my website,www.drkatherinehayes.com, go to the book section, and choose any ebook.

Bonus giveaway - Building Your Author Brand: 5 Essential Strategies

Find out more about Dr. Katherine Hutchison Hayes
Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality podcast

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

What does a street team do for writers, and where do you find them? Kara Swanson provides tips to attract and grow a robust street team.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. You’ll learn about … Building a Robust Street Team during this episode.

Linda's industry expert is…Kara Swanson. Kara writes stories about fairytales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles, which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, DUST and SHADOW. Her latest fantasy series is set in an icy world filled with phoenixes called IGNITE, released in August 2024.
 
She is also the co-founder of the Author Conservatory where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.

You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram

Building a Robust Street Team

• Kara, you recently built a street team of 700+ members, 70% of whom open your emails. How did you attract so many people to your street team? 
• What kind of results have they brought you so far?
• What are your tips for managing a street team this large?

Listener giveaway - A training we put together called “The Smart Writer’s Guide to Publication and Beyond” 

 The Author Conservatory 

You can find out more about Kara here

https://www.KaraSwanson.com 
https://www.AuthorConservatory.com

https://www.enclavepublishing.com/series/heirs-of-neverland/  
Kara Swanson on Instagram   

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Readers want to see their authors. Listen in as Linda Goldfarb and Annette Reeder provide YouTube tips to help your writing business expand.

In this encore episode, Linda's industry expert is Annette Reeder, the Biblical Nutritionist. It was a summer evening on the lawn of a camp meeting that God called Annette into missions. Today, without getting on a plane or traveling through the bush, she is sharing the Gospel around the globe via YouTube– to over 125 countries and over 19 million viewers with 439,000 subscribers

During our episode, Annette and I discuss the following:

• Why should writers consider doing a YouTube channel?
• How to get started?
• Does it pay to be on YouTube?
• How do you do YouTube for fiction and non-fiction?
• How does YouTube grow my audience?

Check out: 

• These amazing freebies from Annette Reeder 
• Annette Reeder on YouTube
• More about Annette Reeder
• The Biblical Nutrition Academy

If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life's content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcast

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this episode.

About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Besides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System, and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series.

Linda and her hubby, Sam, are empty nesters leading full lives. With four adult children and 15 grandbabies– life is a new adventure every day. She loves sipping frothed coffee with friends, traveling the countryside with Sam, and sharing transparent moments with family.

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Let's develop healthy writing habits.

While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, difficult times are always waiting. Edie Melson helps us prepare for these challenges in this encore episode by developing healthy writing practices.
Welcome Edie Melson.

Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.

She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 23 Best Writing Practices. 

Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It’s great to have you here, my friend.

Download the episode giveaway for 23 Things below.

Edie Melson
The Write Conversation Blog for Writers
Listener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship Info
Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Attention Writers…publicity is your friend! Linda’s guest shares how you can maximize your publicity beyond your book launch.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb.

Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about Publicity – ways to extend what a publicist did for you during your launch.

My industry expert is… Stephanie Alton. Stephanie is a literary agent and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. She represents best-selling and new voices in non-fiction and in select fiction genres. Stephanie promotes books by curating and executing publicity campaigns and online marketing plans. She has worked in publishing for 9 years and lives on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Today, we cover the following:

• Pre-launch tips.
• Post-Launch tips.
• Marketing advantages you have after your book launch that you don’t have during your launch period.
• What any author can do – even with no marketing experience –to market their book.

You can find out more about Stephanie Alton here: www.theblythedanielagency.com
https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_alton/

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast